Scientists unveil first 'water-wave laser'

Ultimately, the technology could be used to create tiny sensors for the study of cell biology or to test new drugs.

By Brooks Hays

An artistic impression shows the laser-producing combination of
light and water waves inside a tiny droplet. Photo by Technion-Israel
Institute of Technology

Scientists in Israel have developed the world's first "water-wave
laser," proof light and water waves can combine to generate laser
radiation.

Laser radiation is produced when electrons in
atoms are excited by an external source, in this case, a combination of
frequencies from light and water oscillations.

Until now, scientists thought the frequency
difference between water waves and light waves would diminish the energy
transfer necessary to generate laser emissions. Researchers at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology skirted the drawback using an optical fiber to deliver high-frequency light waves through a tiny droplet of octane and water.

The light and water waves intersect more than a
million times inside the droplet, producing the energy necessary to
trigger a water-wave laser.

Ultimately, the technology could be used to
create tiny sensors for the study of cell biology or to test new drugs.
For now, scientists can use the laser to study light-fluid interactions
at nanoscale.